World · India Bureau
Worker dies in Mumbai sewer cleaning accident; safety lapses cited
A 47-year-old sanitation worker died and a colleague was injured while cleaning a sewer in Mumbai's Santacruz area, with authorities noting the absence of safety equipment at the site. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
LSN India ·
A fatal accident claimed the life of a sanitation worker in Mumbai on Monday as two men were engaged in sewer cleaning operations in the Santacruz locality. The deceased was identified by police as Santosh Ganpat Kashte, 47, while his colleague Ajay Dhyanchand Thakur, 26, sustained injuries during the incident.
According to preliminary investigation reports, the workers were not provided with appropriate safety gear while performing the hazardous task. The absence of protective equipment and safety protocols has drawn scrutiny from law enforcement authorities, who are examining the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
Mumbai police have registered a case in connection with the incident and initiated a formal inquiry. The investigation is expected to determine whether standard occupational safety norms were followed and establish responsibility for the lapses that contributed to the accident.
The incident underscores persistent concerns regarding worker safety standards in sanitation and manual scavenging operations across Indian cities. Authorities have been repeatedly cautioned by labour and civil rights groups about inadequate safety measures in such high-risk occupations.